South Park Trail

Sites on this Trail

Ponds along US 285
Description:
The small ponds along the side of the highway around Kenosha Pass can make for a good quick stop on the way to/from Denver. During summer months, Eared Grebes are often present in decent numbers (and in good plumage!), and a variety of other duck species are possible. Also, look for the typical assortment of open-country montane species.

Directions:
From Denver: take C-470 south to US Hwy 285. Go south on US Hwy 285 for approximately 45 miles to Kenosha Pass, about seven miles southwest of Grant. Parking for the ponds around Kenosha Pass will be on the east side.

Access:
Open year round, Dawn to Dusk
Georgia Pass Road
Description:
A pleasant backroad into the high country, the Georgia Pass Road is a good place to look for the full suite of montane perching birds. Look and listen for Cordilleran and Dusky Flycatchers, Red Crossbill, Mountain Bluebird, Violet-green Swallow, Fox Sparrow (in the extensive willow carrs), Wilson's Warbler, and more.

Directions:
From Denver: take C-470 south to US Hwy 285. Go south on Hwy 285 for approximately 58 miles to the town of Jefferson, which is about 5 miles southwest of Kenosha Pass. From Jefferson, head northwest on CR 35. In three miles, continue northwest onto CR 54/Michigan Creek Rd. to get to Michigan Creek Campground and Georgia Pass.

Access:
Open all year, Michigan Campground open from May to October, Daylight hours
Boreas Pass Road (FR 404)
Description:
Boreas Pass Road is among the best places near Denver to search for highly sought after species such as American Three-toed Woodpecker and Boreal Owl (look in August, especially around the campground). Be sure to check the extensive willow habitats lower down for breeding Swainson's Thrush, Fox Sparrow, Wilson's Warbler, and an outside chance at Veery. The entire area is productive for spectacular alpine wildflowers and mammals such as elk, mule deer, and even the occasional black bear.

Directions:
From Denver: take C-470 south to US Hwy 285. Go south on Hwy 285 for approximately 65 miles to CO 33, FR 404/Boreas Pass Rd. From the town of Jefferson, CO 33 is about 7 miles southwest. Head northwest on CO 33, FR 404/Boreas Pass Rd. towards the town of Como. Continue northwest to Boreas Pass.

Access:
Open May - October, closed during the winter., Dawn to Dusk
Fairplay
Description:
Fairplay is THE major town in South Park, and a good place to stock up or spend the night during a trip to the area. Bird-wise, during winter months, there are occasional flocks of rosy-finches in town, while other typical urban species such as Eurasian Collared-Dove can be found throughout the year. If you plan to make a trip of it, there are a number of State Wildlife Areas in the region to consider; however, check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for seasonal restrictions.

Directions:
Fairplay is along US Hwy 285 at its junction with CO 9, 67 miles southwest of Denver (the junction of US Hwy 285 and C-470).

Access:
Open all year, closures during certain school holiday periods and special events, Daylight hours
Weston Pass Road
Description:
One of the few roads heading high into the Mosquito Range, the Weston Pass Road crosses a wide variety of montane habitats before breaking treeline. Look for Mountain Bluebird and others in the open meadows, Williamson’s Sapsucker and American Three-toed Woodpecker in mixed conifer woodland, and Brown-capped Rosy-Finch above treeline, in addition to bighorn sheep and some of the rarer alpine butterfly species.

Directions:
From US 285 and C-470: go south on US Hwy 285 for 72 miles toward Fairplay. As you continue south through Fairplay, Weston Pass Rd./CR 5 is 4.5 miles south. Head west on CR 5, merge onto CR 22, and continue south. CR 22 will curve west; continue to Weston Pass.

Access:
Open all year (access can be difficult during winter), Daylight hours
High Creek Fen Preserve
Description:
Providing access to some very unique habitat, High Creek Fen is home to fourteen state-rare plant species. It is also home to nesting Wilson’s Phalaropes and a few Mountain Plovers, which have a little-known population in South Park. There are no established trails, so visitors will have to walk through this marshy territory with waterproof footwear. Please leave pets at home when exploring this special area.

Directions:
From US 285 and C-470: go south on US 285 for 75 miles toward Fairplay. Continue through Fairplay for 8.5 miles, and turn east on a private gravel road that is 0.2 miles south of milepost 175. (The milepost is on the west side of the road; the gravel road is on the east). Cross the cattle guard, then drive about one mile to a small parking area and visitor kiosk.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Antero Reservoir
Description:
The large, shallow Antero Reservoir tends to have three stages: chock full of water (and birds!), completely dry, or completely frozen. When it is full in the liquid state, it is among the best birding lakes in the mountains, and can be absolutely carpeted in a wide variety of waterfowl.

Directions:
From US Hwy 285 and C-470: go south on US Hwy 285 through Fairplay. Continue south and in about a mile, head southeast onto Hwy 9 toward Hartsel. In 15 miles, go west onto Hwy 24. The north entrance road to the reservoir is CR 80 and the south entrance road is CR 78.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Spinney Mountain State Park
Description:
Spinney Mountain provides great opportunities for viewing waterfowl, as the reservoir hosts an amazing number of birds, especially in the fall. In the prairie habitat around the reservoir, you may spot Horned Lark, Mountain Bluebird, and Vesper Sparrow, along with the occasional rosy-finch during inclement weather. Many rarities have shown up in the area, so keep an eye out! A State Parks pass is required for entry.

Directions:
From US Hwy 285 and C-470: go south on US Hwy 285 through Fairplay. Continue south to the junction of US Hwy 24 and US Hwy 285 and head east on US Hwy 24 for 13 miles to the town of Hartsel. Go east onto CR 59 and continue to CR 92. Head southeast on CR 92 to Spinney Mountain Access Rd. and go south to the entrance station.

Access:
Day use only, closed from ice-on to ice-off, Daylight hours
Eleven Mile State Park
Description:
Eleven Mile is a great location for diving duck species, and it is not unusual to find several scoters, Barrow's Goldeneye, and loons. All six species of grebes found in Colorado have been observed here. The best waterfowl viewing is often found at the western end of the reservoir. In open terrain, rosy-finches are sometimes seen, especially during snow storms in the fall. Keep an eye out for grassland species, such as Horned Lark, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Bunting, and the occasional Lapland Longspur. A State Parks pass is required for entry.

Directions:
From US Hwy 285 and C-470: go south on US Hwy 285 through Fairplay. Continue south and from the junction of US Hwy 24 and US Hwy 285, head east on US Hwy 24 for 13 miles to the town of Hartsel. Go east onto CR 59 for 15.5 miles to the junction with CR 92. Continue straight on CR 92 to reach the entrance station, full service campgrounds and marina. Turn south on CR 59 to access several entrances and campgrounds along the south side of the reservoir.

Access:
Open all year, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Lake George
Description:
This small lake can be quite productive for waterfowl. The best time to visit is during the late fall, though there are usually some birds present whenever the water is open. The marshes fringing the lake can have flocks of blackbirds, as well as Marsh Wren and Virginia Rail. There is no public access, but the lake can be seen from the county road. Parking is minimal, so use caution.

Directions:
From I-25 in Colorado Springs: take exit 142, US Hwy 24/Cimarron St. Head west on US Hwy 24 for 37 miles to the town of Lake George. The best scanning of the lake is from CR 96, southeast of town.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours